Portable starting gate with fixed stalls



Feb. 26, 1935. J, BAHR 1,992,802

PORTABLE STARTING GATE WITH FIXED STALLS Filed April 25, 1.952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTQPAEI/ Feb". 26, 1935. A, T, J; BAH 1,992,802

PORTABLE STARTING GATE WITH FIXED STALLS Filed April 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb 26, 1935. A} T. J. BAHR 1,992,802

'PORTABLE STARTING GATE WITH .FIXED STALLS Filed April 25,- 1932 5 Sheets-Shet 3 fig-.9 176.10 1291 kip Paton ted" F eh. 26,

UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE- roarsans srjaarmo can: wrrn nxrn arms August 1. J. St. Louis, MO asslgnor to Bahr Starting Gate Corporation, Chicago, Uh, a corporation of lllinois Application A9 1 25,

1932, Serial No. 607,246

Claims. ""(Cl 119-155) T i invention relates to an improved portable starting gate'such as those used at or for training race horses or the like, andkhhs ior one of its principal objects the provision the accompanying drawings and iollowing s tcom;-

cation.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illusoi\\ trated in ,the drawings and hereinaftermore 5 a starting gate of which shall be sufu y des rib d.

at the same time possessing added advantages of relatively greater strength and more adequate portability.

Another important object or the invention resides in the provision of a starting gate wherein thepartitions forming the. stalls for separating the horses preparatory to starting the race are .made fixed with respect to the gate structure itself .and are constructed so as to depend from an overhead U-shaped support in such a manner as to positively avoid any. shifting, twisting, or lateral .motion of .the partitions even under the most extraordinary conditions of plunging, kicka ing, and even falling horses.

Another and stilliurther important objectmt the invention is the provision of a starting gate which while strong and durable is considerably lighter and constructed with elements of great portability, so that the same can be readily shittedonto andoiiotthetraclrasoccasion-arises and necessity demands, in a minimum time and by the exercise 0! a relatively small amount of labor. V 7

Another object of the invention peculiar to the present construction is the provision of hingedly mounted end stall sections which besides eliminating considerable weightaflord a 45 setotwheels 'ispivoted for mhstantiallyuniversal much ter structure and mrther allow at the'hnni g oi thedevice'inavery-shortradius.

- Another and still further important object or the invention lies in the wheel moimtinga or supports-tor thestructure whereby the axle for one arrim- In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevational view ofthe improved starting gate' of this invention, showingparticularly the fixed central partitions forming the stalls, the U'-shaped partition supporting frame,

and the hingedly mounted end partition sections.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of. the pivoted axle mounting, showing particularly the ball bearing antieirict'ion construction, and also the dust cap 7 and removable tongue construction.

Figure 3 is an elevationalview of what is known as a training gate, these fgates being made on the same principles as the gate shown in Figure 1, but with a much smaller number of stalls.

' Figure 4 is an end view of a partition and a portion of a depending support showing the reinforced partition frame.

Figure 5 is a side view 'of the partition and a portion of the support showing the partition as covered with padding.

Figure 6 is a side view of a partition frame with the padding removed, and showing the interior reinforcing braces.

Figure 7 is an end view ing the pivoted axle mounting.

Figure 8 isa view of the other end of the gate, illustrating the fixed ,axle mounting. v

Figure 9 is a top plan view of a piece of the partition padding showing one of the steps in the construction thereof Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of stall paddingshowing the same manother step of the processv oi manufacture.v

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the padding showing the same after the compressing and stitching operations.

of a starting gate show- 1 Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a portion of thetop and one end of the padding after application we stall frame. v I Figure 13 is a bottom view' of a section oi'padding appliedcto a stall frame. 5 shown in the drawings:

JIheJreference numeral 14 indicates generally thejsupporting frame of the improvedstarting.

, gate of this invention, the same'being formed of integral U-shaped elements as best shown in 1, having crou braces 16 and 18 extending throughout their length" and depth respectively,

'and it will be noted'that the structure eliminates the use of endbars as'the overhead structure is 'simpl'ybent at the ends to term which are then mounted on platforms 20 and mnilttormioissupportedbyapair lmovhaving openings 32 therein for the reception of upon this axle is fixed a support 28 crates, with the platform 20. I

In the center of the support 28 is a metal plate or the like -30 preferably circular in shape and which poophousing 38 into which is adapted to be positioned dust caps 4 the end of a tongue or the like 40 by means of which the device can be drawn or propelled from place to place, andthis tongue has near one end an opening through which passes a pin 42 when the opening is aligned with a. corresponding opening in the top of the housing 38. In this way, the whole device canbe propelled or drawn from place to place. and a desired directional effect imparted to the guiding wheels 24.

It will be noted that suitable provisions are made for preventing access of dust, dirt, or other foreign material to those portions of the axles ings which are protected at the inner faces of preferably eing supported on roller or ball bearthe wheels y suitable retaining plates 44 and by A plurality of relatively fixed stall partitions or the like 5b are supported from the overhead I member 14, these partitions being fixed in posiverge as best shown in Figures 1 and 4, and in- 1 order to prevent twisting torque or any movement due to undue strains and stresses, cross braces 54 are provided for each downwardly extending stall support. These members are preferably tubular. v These cross braces extend both transversely and longitudinally as shown in Figures 1 and 5 respectively.

Each partition 50 is formed in a downwardly tapering shape as best illustrated. in Figures 1 and 4, and in addition to comprising the side members also includes top cross braces 56, bot-.- tom connecting elements 58, and central vertically extending ties 60cwhereby a very substantial and rigid stall or partition results.

Each stall element is fastened in position to the downwardly extending-supports 52 first by if any effect, even though this twisting or bending force be greatly in excess of that which would.

. be produced by the rushing, plunging, or falling of a horse or horses thereagainst. The downwardly extending structures 52 are so thoroughly reinforced by the cross braces 54 that no per- .ceptible twisting or torque results from the application of such end forces, and the bracesalso act t effectively prevent any side sway or lateral move ent of the partitions with respect (t0 the frame or to each other. V 4

It will be noted that the downwardly extending ends of the U-shaped overhead structure are also braced in one direction by means of reinmounted on correspondingly screw-' threaded e ds 48 ofthe axles themselves.

- The end of the structure opposite the mov-- able axle is supported on a fixed axle "l2 asbest shown in Figure 8 upon which is mounted a set of wheels '74, and this fixed.- axle is supported in position with respect tothe platform 22 by .means of struts '76.and V-braces 78. These V- braces are secured at their ends.to the axle '72 10 by means of clamps or the like 80.

It will be noted that the partitions 50 are of a sufiicient width so as to enable-an assistant starter to stand in front of a stall and be protected against. accidental impact of ahorse when 15 the rush of thediorses from the space between ,two stalls ensues, owing to the springing of the barrier. This relatively wide stall construction adequately protects the assistant starters while at the same time taking but very little additional 20 space, and on account of the reinforced braced construction of the stalls and the supports themselves, actually results in a saving of weight. 26 upon wh ich-the wheels are mounted, these In order to allow of the complete turning of the axle 26 about? its pivot point 82', the stall 5 88 pivotally mounted on the end of the. parti- 30 tion and adapted to cooperate with a suitable retaining staple 90 when in lowermost position, and

with a corresponding retaining staple 92 when in upperv position. A similar structure is provided for the stall partition-94 at the other end '3 of the gate.

This, ofcourse, is not absolutely necessary as the wheels 74 are relatively fixed, and this partition 94 may be built as fixed in position, if so desired. 7

A similar construction such as overhead U- 40 which support stalls or partitions -51 in the man- 45 per heretofore describedl A set of pivotally mounted wheels 25 is provided on this gate and a set of fixed wheels 75.

Also there is provided a hinged end partition 85 operating in the same manner as the stall 50 element 84. Suitable brace elements and .67 respectively are provided for the downwardly dependingends of the U-shaped overhead structure, and these ends are mounted on platforms 21 and 23 respectively. v The low partitions and also the open-work end structures. and the restricted shape of the supports for the stalls allow a considerably extended vision of the horses themselves when in the gate,

and the fact that folding partitions are employed on atthe ends reduces the number of hanger structures.. The fact that one set of wheels is fixed insures a proper alignment of the wheels when the structure is in motion, and the stalls and supports are so constructed that no whip will result even under very sudden or jerky starting. The starter himself has a considerably better vision of all the horses when in a gate of this type.

In Figures 9 and 10 is shown the first step in m the preparation of the padding for the partitions wherein a bottomdouble layer of strong canvas or duck is provided as shown at 57, and three layers of cotton are superimposed thereon asillustrated at 59, after which a top single layer of 76 become extensive.

duck 61 is laid thereon in the nature of a covering, after which the same are compressed and then stitched together by means of stitches as best shown at 63 in Figure. 9.

These lines of stitches are preferably such as to produce squares, triangles, or diamond-shaped tufts of the compressed material whereby the accidental kicking of the padding by the horses will result in only a very small cut or tear which can be easily repaired and which will not be liable to The stitching 63 is accomplished in such a manner that the entire padding and particularly the cotton filling is compressed as best shown in Figure 11, whereby much stronger construction results, and one which has a very suitable cushioning efiect, thereby protecting the horses and riders against injury.

The pads are sheathlike and of such dimensions as to fit snugly around the bottoms, sides and over the tops of the partitions as best shown in Figure 12 and are also provided with end members 69 whereby the entire stall is closed in or thoroughly covered by the padding itself. The upper ends of the padding are provided with eyelets '11 through which are entwined laces or the like '13, sothat the same can be pulled into a close fit with the framework of the stall, thereby insuring an adequate covering and one which will not be likely to become loose or displaced even under the most severe usage. Extra cushioning elements are shown at 90.

As best shown in Figure 13 a series of openings protected by annular brass collars 77 are provided in the padding adjacent thebottom of the partition structure so as to allow for proper drainage of any water or the like which may accidentially find its way into the interior of the partition through the interstices of the lacing '73.

The entire gate is much lighter in weight than any heretofore used while at the same time be ing actually stronger, this being 'due to the special brace construction, and the fact that the partitions are fixedin position by means of depending supports, which themselves are braced in every direction against twisting, provides a very rigid and satisfactory device which will withstand the most severe conditions of use and abuse.

Furthermore, the open framework peculiar to this particular structure coupled with the relatively low partitions enables a'very good view of all the horses at all times by both the public and the oflicials, thereby providing a more satisfactory apparatus. The fact that the wheels at one end only are mounted on a pivoted axle while at the same time allowing for a turning movement .tering or saturating of the padding with mud or water, and at the same time, the partitions are so constructed that it. is impossible for a .horse to get his feet caught under the gate. The padding can be easily removed, ifnecessary, for cleaning or repairs, and as readily replaced, and furthermore, is of such a construction that it is tough and rugged, and will withstand a considerablenumber of hard knocks. v

I am aware that many changes "may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore,

do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

7 I claim as my invention:

1. A portable starting gate, including an inverted U-shaped overhead structure, supports for the ends of the structure, and wheels mounted on the supports, together with a series of stall partitions depending from the overhead structure, and a pair of end stall partitions mountedadjacent the ends of the overhead structure and extending below the top edge of the wheels, at least one of said stall-partitions being hingedly mounted on the overhead structure, and means for locking said stall partition at the limit of its upward movement about the hinge to allow the turning thereunder of the wheels on the pivoted axle.

2. In a portable starting gate, having an overhead trussed structure, and a series of trussed partitions forming stalls fixedly dependent from the overhead structure; each of said partitions comprising a rigid framework and a padded covering for'the framework, said padded covering com-- prising outer layers of heavy canvas, and an'inner filling of relatively soft'material such as cotton, and a series of diagonal and transverse lines of stitching connecting the outer layers and the filling into a unitary covering, eyelets adjacent to the edges of the covering, and lacing means passing through the eyelets for securing the covering in position on a partition.

3. In a portablestarting gate, having an overhead trussed structure, and aseries of trussed partitions forming stalls fixedly dependent from theoverhead structure; each of said partitions comprising a r gid framework and a padded coveringfor the framework, said padded covering comprising outer layers of heavy canvas, and an and the filling into a unitary covering, eyelets adjacent to the edges of the covering, and lacing means passing through the eyelets for securing the covering .in position on a partition, together with drainage openings in that portion of the covering adapted to be located adjacent the bottom of the partition.

4; In a portable starting gate having an overhead structure and a series 01' depending supports mounted on the-overhead structure, each support consisting of a trussed frame and a partition connected to the lower end of the trussed frame, cross braces in the support for preventing twisting-movement, a padding on each partition, each partition comprising a trussed structure and connected adjacent its bottom with the end of the trussed frame.

5. In a portable starting gate, having an overhead structure and a series of depending supports mounted on the overhead structure, each support consisting of a trussed frame tapering downwardly, and a partition connected to the lower end of the trussed frame, cross braces in the support for preventing twisting movement, 9. padding on each partition, each partition comprising a trussed structure, and also tapering downwardly and connected adjacent its bottom with the end of the trussed frame.

AUGUST T. J. BAHR, 

